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MCB COURSE AVAILABILITY IN SUMMER
MCB 252: Cells, Tissues & Development and MCB 317: Genetics and Genomics will be taught this summer in summer session II. Both will be fully online courses specifically designed as online courses through the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. They are not face-to-face versions adapted for remote learning. Both were designed by and will be taught by Prof. David Rivier. For more information about both courses, please see this flyer in Powerpoint format.
INTERN WITH THE SCHOOL OF MCB OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
Are you a creative self-starter who has a passion for social media, writing, and design? The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is accepting applications for a communications intern for Fall 2026. Interns will collaborate with the school’s communications staff on developing content for our social media accounts, websites, and building monitors.
This is a paid position for a University of Illinois student and offers a flexible work schedule (5-15 hours per week). Applicants should be familiar with social media editing tools, be a strong writer, and familiar with design programs such as Adobe Express or Canva.
Candidates should also be reliable, detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and enthusiastic about communicating about the school’s people, research advances, and educational activities.
Please send a letter of interest and resume to communications@mcb.illinois.edu by April 8.
SUMMER BIOLOGY PEER ADVISORS NEEDED
Looking for a job to complement your coursework here at Illinois this summer? The Biology Advising Program is hiring 12-15 Peer Advisors to help during Summer Registration for incoming freshmen and transfer students who will start classes in Fall of 2026. You will help students navigate the online registration system (look up course descriptions in the Class Schedule, log in and register for classes, etc.), and give students general advice about arranging their schedules and choosing gen eds and electives.
MODE: Work is in-person
DATES: Tuesday, May 26th to Friday, July 10th (No work on June 19th, July 3rd).
HOURS: Monday-Friday, 1-5 PM (we usually finish by 4:30). Some days will have shifts available in the mornings.
PAY: $16.50/hr.
You MUST be available to work at least 80% of the dates indicated. There will also be the opportunity to work a few hours outside of those indicated. Preference may be given to those who are also available August 17-20 for late summer registration.
Apply here: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/453856920
Applications will be reviewed starting March 23 and will be accepted on a rolling basis after that until all spots are filled.
ATTENTION GRADUATING SENIORS
This information is for anyone planning to participate in the School of MCB Spring Convocation Ceremony. If you are not graduating in May 2026 or August 2026, or graduated in August or December 2025, you can disregard this message.
Congratulations Graduates! Are you ready to celebrate with your friends and families?
The School of MCB Convocation Ceremony to recognize our graduates is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Foellinger Great Hall at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts.
You can now register for this ceremony and request tickets for your guests here. Note the deadline to register and request tickets is Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT. If you are unsure if you will be attending, we encourage you to sign up just in case. This will ensure that you will have tickets for your guests. If you decide not to attend, it is easy to cancel your registration through a quick email. Please note -- participating in convocation does require excessive walking, standing, and stair climbing. If you are a person with a disability who requires accommodation(s), please contact convocation@mcb.illinois.edu no later than April 8, 2026, to discuss your needs. Some accommodation requests (such as American Sign Language Interpreters) received after April 10th will be given due diligence to be filled, but may not be guaranteed.
CONVOCATION TICKET INFORMATION
All undergraduate students can initially request a maximum of 5 tickets each. See below for information on the potential for additional tickets.
All MS and PhD students can initially request a maximum of 7 tickets each. See below for information on the potential for additional tickets.
Do NOT include yourself in the number of tickets requested. ALL guests, including infants, must have a ticket to attend the ceremony. However, graduates themselves do NOT need a ticket.
There may be a small number of additional tickets that can be requested via student lottery (2 maximum per student) in early May. If additional tickets are available, an email notification will be sent to registrants. Note: There is no guarantee that extra tickets will be available.
The ceremony will be streamed live via our website. Guests who are unable to secure a ticket should be able to watch the ceremony online. The recording of the ceremony will be available at a later date.
ACADEMIC ATTIRE
Academic attire may be ordered online at herff.ly/illinois. After choosing your school and degree, choose "College of Liberal Arts and Sciences" under "Select an option..." The last day to order your Cap and Gown online and at the early discount rate is Monday, April 13, 2026, 10:59 PM. Orders placed between April 14 and April 28 will incur extra fees, including 2nd day air shipping of $24.99. April 28 at 10:59 PM is the last time to order or cancel orders for regalia. A prepaid return shipping label is included with your order or regalia can be returned to Memorial Stadium through May 17. Additional information is available at commencement.illinois.edu/caps-and-gowns/.
Should you or your guests have any questions, please have them reach out to us. School of MCB Convocation Coordinator, convocation@mcb.illinois.edu or call the MCB Advising Center: (217) 333-6774.
We look forward to celebrating with you all in person!
THE INAUGURAL PRE_HEALTH PROFESSIONS CONFERENCE
Tuesday, April 21st we hope to see you at the Inaugural Illinois Pre-Health Professions Conference where you can attend a Health Professions Fair and engage interactively with guest speakers from various health professional school at our 8 sessions. The fair will take place from 12- 3PM and session will be held in two blocks from 3:30 - 5:20PM. Be sure to register in Handshake@Illinois. Space is limited so be sure to also register here for the sessions; descriptions can be found below!
Block 1- 3:30-4:20PM
Session 1: IllinoisCOM: Suturing Clinic & DO Clerkship- Insights with Dr. Kasmer
Join a hands-on suturing clinic led by a practicing surgeon where participants will learn and practice basic suturing techniques commonly used in clinical settings. During this interactive session, attendees will be guided through foundational skills such as instrument handling, knot tying, and simple interrupted sutures. In addition to the technical component, the surgeon will share insights into clinical training during third- and fourth-year clerkships at osteopathic medical schools. Students will gain perspective on what to expect during surgical rotations, how to prepare for hands-on clinical learning, and ways to make the most of clerkship experiences.
This session is ideal for pre-med students interested in developing early clinical skills while learning more about the structure and expectations of clinical training in osteopathic medical education.
Session 2: UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy: Careers In Pharmacy
This presentation explores the diverse career paths available in pharmacy. Attendees will learn about the education, skills, and opportunities that shape the role of pharmacists in healthcare. This session is designed to help prospective students better understand the pharmacy profession and what it takes to become a pharmacist.
Session 3: UIC- Rural Medicine: Rural Health Care
Session 4: RUSH College of Medicine: Mission Fit or Holistic Review of an Applicant
The secondary application is an important piece of your medical school application. Join Sarah Morgan, Counselor for Outreach and Recruitment at Rush Medical College, to learn how to build secondary applications that best highlight your strengths, competencies, and experiences as an applicant. In addition to a brief overview of Rush Medical College, this session will include topics related to secondary applications including application overview, submission timeline expectations, example questions and more.
Block 2- 4:30-5:20 PM
Session 5: Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine: Diseases Shouldn’t Have Names - Learning the Art of Patient-Centered Clinical Reasoning
In this session students will be challenged to rethink the common practice of chasing disease-differentials by their labels and instead focus on the individual animal in front of them. In this interactive presentation participants will have the opportunity to try an inquiry-based approach to clinical reasoning that treats illness as a breakdown in normal body function in which the responses of different organ systems are interrelated, meaning that no two patients respond to a particular health challenge in the same way. By comparing quick pattern recognition with deeper, more thoughtful reasoning, participants will learn how relying too heavily on disease labels can short-circuit good thinking, especially in uncommon clinical presentations and in complex cases. The takeaway of the session will be that great clinicians don’t just name diseases, they ask better questions, use systems-thinking, and tailor their decisions and plans to the unique patient with which they are dealing.
Session 6: A. T. Still University: Medical School Mock Interview
This interactive session introduces pre-health students to effective strategies for interviewing for health professional programs. Through live mock interview demonstrations, participants will observe both strong and weak interview techniques, engage in guided discussion, and learn how to improve their own performance. The session emphasizes practical skills, self-awareness, and actionable feedback applicable across all health professions.
Session 7: Rosalind Franklin University, Physician Assistant Program: Admissions and Financing your PA Education
Session 8: Carle Illinois College of Medicine: Engineering Medical School Admissions- Myths, Facts, & What Actually Matters
Join Carle Illinois College of Medicine Admissions and current students as they discuss the "myths" and about the world's first accredited "engineering-based" medical school. Learn about how engineering concepts are integrated into the curriculum and how our students are not required have an engineering background to apply, be accepted and to be successful in our medical school. Learn about the unique admissions process including the truth about the Competency Checklist and Secondary "Portfolio" application. Do you have questions about us? Get your answers from our current student's perspective and an Admissions Officer during this engaging "myth busting" session.
PRE_HEALTH AT ILLINOIS - APPLICATION PREP SERIES
Pre-Health Advising will be offering the Application Prep Series this April for PA, Medicine and Dentistry. We will walk you through the parts of the application, discuss the ideal timeline to apply, what happens after you submit, and answer questions you may have about the application process. Each session will take place on Zoom. Registration is not required, but preferred for accurate records.
If you are applying to a field without a session or cannot make the session, schedule an appointment with a Pre-Health Advisor to learn more about the application process. Any current student and alumni can meet with a Pre-Health Advisor.
Applying to Med School
Applying to Dental School
REGISTER NOW FOR THE IGB UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SHOWCASE
Registration is now open for the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology’s 2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase. The showcase will be held on April 29, 2026, from 3-5 PM in the IGB conference room 612. Poster session will begin at 3 PM, and data blitz talks will begin at 4 PM. All are welcome to attend. Registration is not required but is encouraged. Register here.
RUSH COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES GRADUATE IMMERSION DAY – SPRING 2026
Please join us for an in-person Immersion Day to learn more about three College of Health Sciences master’s degree programs:
The experience will include program presentations, tours, and simulations.
You will have the opportunity to meet faculty and experience what it is like to be a student at Rush University.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (CST)
Register here: http://my.rush.edu/chsevents
Program Information
Medical Laboratory Science: http://www.rushu.rush.edu/mls
Clinical Nutrition: http://www.rushu.rush.edu/nutrition
Respiratory Care: http://www.rushu.rush.edu/respiratorycare
AVID CNA SCHOOL - 3 WEEK COURSE
Once again, Avid CNA School is offering our 3-week CNA class for college students. Our program uses a hybrid learning format, making it especially convenient for busy college schedules, with live Zoom lectures, a face‑to‑face skills lab, and clinicals.
We are proud to be the largest CNA program in Illinois, with a 100% pass rate, and we truly appreciate your continued support. Thank you for referring your students to us and helping make our program the number one choice.
Registration deadline: May 8, 2026
Schedule:
Contact Information:
AVID CNA School
67 S Sutton Rd
Streamwood, IL 60107
Phone: 630‑855‑3977
Website: www.avidcnaschool.com
FUTURE LEADERS IN BRAIN INJURY CONFERENCE
Future Leaders in Brain Injury is a free one-day virtual conference that provides opportunities for learners of all levels—from undergraduate to clinical students—to explore a variety of career paths focused on advancing the field of Brain Injury. Participants will hear from professionals in brain injury medicine, physical therapy, and occupational therapy about their work caring for individuals with brain injuries. They will also engage in structured opportunities to network with professionals who can support them in achieving their career aspirations.
We’re hosting the conference on Saturday, April 11th, from 12 pm - 5 pm EST/9 am - 2 pm PST on Zoom.
Sign up to receive the conference registration here
For questions, contact synapsenational@gmail.com.
WRITERS WORKSHOP EVENT
Preparing for the Job Search: Cover Letters and Resumes
Tuesday, March 31, 12-1 PM
Online via Zoom
https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/5442?eventId=33540461
This presentation will provide tips for writing concise and professional resumes and cover letters. You’ll review common structure, purpose, audience expectations, and strategies for creating a set of application materials that complement each other. We encourage you to bring a current job ad and questions about your current in-progress materials! You will need to register by the day before the event to receive the Zoom link on the morning of the event, and you will need to be logged into your Illinois Zoom account before joining the presentation.
EXPLORE PODIATRIC MEDICINE AND SURGERY - CAMP POD 2026
The Illinois Podiatric Medical Students’ Association (IPMSA), in association with Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, is pleased to announce that this summer’s virtual seminar, Camp POD, will be held Monday, July 27th to Friday, July 31st, 2026, from 9:00 am-12:30 pm.
This is a free, interactive event for high school and college students interested in learning about the field of Podiatric Medicine and how to become a future foot and ankle surgeon!
Students will engage in interactive lecture-style programs that feature distinguished clinicians and faculty. Presentations will be on a range of topics, including sports medicine, surgery, wound care, and more! Students will learn about the process of applying to Podiatry school and the interview process, and have the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions with current students.
We look forward to the opportunity to introduce students to the field of Podiatric Medicine. We welcome ALL students who are interested in the field, regardless of previous knowledge. All are welcome!
Please feel free to send this flyer and opportunity to anyone interested! We are excited to share more about the field of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Your students can be future Podiatric physicians and surgeons!
Students can RSVP here for Camp POD: https://forms.gle/NNU7HoEyDR3cAk64A
MASTER OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AT ILLINOIS
Each year, we hear from many students who are navigating the next steps in the veterinary and animal health fields, including those who were not admitted to veterinary school this cycle, plan to apply in the future, or are exploring related career paths. These students often seek guidance, academic support, and clarity on their options.
At the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, our Master of Veterinary Science (MVS) team regularly meets one-on-one with students to help them make informed, realistic decisions about their academic and professional paths. Our goal is to complement the advising work you already do by offering additional, field-specific support.
Students interested in learning more about our program can engage with us in several ways:
Through our student success model, we help students explore diverse careers within animal health, strengthen their application materials, and build a competency-based portfolio. Our core curriculum mirrors key topics from the first two years of veterinary school, providing rigorous academic preparation while also demonstrating to admissions committees a student’s readiness for the pace and depth of professional study.
If you have students seeking direction in veterinary or animal health careers, we would be grateful if you shared this resource with them: Engage with Us.
QUICK ASK: STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH APP SURVEY
Help us improve student mental health resources on campus. The Mental Health Early Action on Campus team is conducting a short survey to better understand how students are using mental health and wellness apps and how they feel about trust, privacy, and accessibility when using these tools. Your feedback will help guide how the university communicates about and supports digital mental health resources for students. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and will be open from March 23 through April 3.
NEW RSO - THE ILLINI KITTEN CLUB (IKC)
Love kittens and want to help foster?
The Illini Kitten Club is excited to welcome passionate cat lovers to join our club and become a foster as kitten season arrives. The Illini Kitten Club (IKC) is a foster-based, student-run club that works directly with local rescues and veterinarians to educate foster volunteers and members on the care of neonatal and pediatric kittens and pregnant cats.
To become a foster, you must first be a registered member of IKC, submit a foster application, and be approved by our foster coordination team. The good news? Fostering is completely free — all supplies, veterinary care, and educational support are provided by the club. All you need to give is a safe, loving space and daily care.
If you are interested in becoming a member and/or a foster, please email uofikittenclub@gmail.com and fill out this foster interest form for more information!
LLINI SHELTERING HANDS SOCIETY
What We Do:
Connect With Us:
NEW PRE-HEALTH RSO: INVISIBLE AWARENESS AT ILLINOIS
Invisible Illness Awareness at UIUC (IIA at UIUC) is a new pre-health chapter RSO dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for invisible illnesses, chronic conditions, and disabilities. We host biweekly meetings over zoom on Mondays, 4:30-5:30, with each month being dedicated to a new category of conditions. The first meeting of the month will include an informational presentation about the condition, and the second meeting of the month will feature a guest speaker related to the condition, including doctors, caregivers, and individuals who have the condition.
We are dedicated to educating future healthcare employees to:
Increase awareness of invisible illnesses, chronic illnesses, and Disabilities, particularly among current and future healthcare professionals
JOIN LINGUAMED
LinguaMed is looking to grow its membership.
LinguaMed offers students immersive experiences in medical language learning to build cultural competence, strengthen holistic healthcare skills, and support clinics facing language barriers in medical translation.
The goal of LinguaMed is to fight the language barrier in medicine while also giving a cultural education in hopes of spreading cultural competence and holistic language skills. This is achieved by hosting discussions on healthcare and medical topics, as well as guided clinical language practice on a rotating list of languages.
This semester, we are implementing cultural sessions where we provide cuisines of different cultures we are learning about that month and discuss diet-related health disparities while also learning about new cultures. Additionally, we also fundraise to donate translation devices to local clinics in the CU community!
Instagram: uiuc_linguamed
GroupMe: https://groupme.com/join_group/109554003/rvTqDQYm
CARING COMPANIONS INITIATIVE
Want to volunteer at nursing homes and gain fulfilling experiences? Join Caring Companions Initiative! We are an organization focused on providing company and spreading joy to residents of nursing homes in the community through fun activities. You can learn more about our RSO at our Zoom information sessions this week! Join our GroupMe (https://groupme.com/join_group/98829216/JsoHBl8c) for the meeting times and more information about our upcoming events!
HEALTH ANALYTICS SOCIETY (HAS)
The Health Analytics Society (HAS) is a student-run organization that explores how data is reshaping biology, medicine, and human health. HAS brings together students interested in molecular and cellular biology, pre-med, and data science to learn how health data can reveal patterns, inform research, and improve real-world medical decision-making through interactive events, workshops, and collaborative projects.
Contact & Links:
Email: hasatuiuc@gmail.com
Website: https://linktr.ee/hasatuiuc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/has_uiuc
APPLICATION OPEN FOR LEVENICK UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARS
The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment is seeking applications to the Levenick Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. Students will work with a faculty mentor to evaluate a sustainability challenge on the Illinois campus, analyze available data on the challenge or collect their own, and make recommendations on how to address it. This program results in independent study credit and experiential learning for the student, a small financial incentive for faculty mentors, and fresh ideas to improve sustainability practices for our campus. Applications are due April 12 at 5pm.
The full program description and application instructions can be found at Levenick Undergraduate Research Scholars Program
Download the call for proposals here.
Please share widely and send any questions to sustainability-education@illinois.edu.
VOLUNTEER WITH THE SALVATION ARMY FOOD PANTRY
Volunteering at The Salvation Army food pantry involves preparing and organizing bags and carts of food for distribution to individuals and families of need. Responsibilities may include organizing donated items, packing bags, packing carts, distributing bread, or other produce. This is a great volunteering opportunity for anyone interested!
Here's the link to sign up for volunteering shifts:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4CAAAA2AA7FEC25-62420119-food
It's a flexible opportunity and can serve as a way to meet new people, rack up more volunteering hours and make an impact at Champaign.
FULLY PAID ALGAL BIOFUELS INTERNSHIPS AT PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY (FALL 2026)
PNNL is searching for qualified graduating seniors or recent graduates (BS/BA or BS/MS within 2 years) who may be interested in conducting microalgae biofuels research in their lab during a fully paid, 16-week internship this fall (2026) – see attached flyer. The internship provides a weekly stipend, housing allowance, and travel reimbursement. Deadline is April 5, 2026.